Last Updated on June 3, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Here are the 1950–51 NBA Regular Season Standings.

Eastern Division

Team W L Win% Head Coach Playoff Outcome
Philadelphia Warriors 40 26 .606 Edward Gottlieb Lost in East Finals (to NYK)
Boston Celtics 39 27 .591 Red Auerbach Lost in East Semifinals (to NYK)
New York Knicks 36 30 .545 Joe Lapchick Lost in NBA Finals (to ROC)
Syracuse Nationals 32 34 .485 Al Cervi Lost in East Semifinals (to PHI)
Baltimore Bullets 24 42 .364 Walt Budko (player-coach) Missed playoffs

Western Division

Team W L Win% Head Coach Playoff Outcome
Rochester Royals 41 27 .603 Les Harrison NBA Champions
Minneapolis Lakers 44 24 .647 John Kundla Lost in West Finals (to ROC)
Fort Wayne Pistons 32 36 .471 Murray Mendenhall Lost in West Semifinals (to ROC)
Indianapolis Olympians 31 37 .456 Herm Schaefer Lost in West Semifinals (to MIN)
Tri-Cities Blackhawks 25 43 .368 Doxie Moore Missed playoffs
Chicago Stags 40 20 .667 Unofficial (Folded after 1949–50) Team folded before season

Note: The Chicago Stags officially disbanded before the 1950–51 season began.

1951 NBA Playoff Summary:

  • NBA Finals:
    • Rochester Royals defeated New York Knicks 4–3
  • Division Finals:
    • Eastern: Knicks defeated Warriors 3–2
    • Western: Royals defeated Lakers 3–1
  • Division Semifinals:
    • Eastern:
      • Knicks defeated Celtics 2–0
      • Warriors defeated Nationals 2–0
    • Western:
      • Royals defeated Pistons 2–1
      • Lakers defeated Olympians 2–1